Agenda item

No.

Name 

Questions (and answers)

PQ 01

Martin Fodor

Q1. What evidence has the CMWG gathered from other authorities like core cities or local government bodies like the LGA gathered to advise on this issue of devolved decision making?

A1. Local decision making was one of the key design principles that was developed by the CMWG during their first phase of work, which involved discussions with the LGA, CfGS and other Local Authorities.  Members gathered a good deal of information during this process, the most pertinent of which is captured in the report.

PQ02

Martin Fodor

Q2. When can an inquiry be held to develop these ideas into practical proposals?

A2. The CMWG will be considering their first report regarding local decision making at their meeting on 26^th May 23.  Once Members have provided a steer on which model (s) they would like to explore further appropriate steps will then be taken to produce a more detailed report of options. 

PQ03

David Redgewell

Q3. What discussion have taken place with the chief executive of the west of England mayoral combined Authority about this committee functions and the mayor for the west of England Dan Norris and when time and dates please.

A3. Members of the CMWG will be considering partnership working at their meeting on 28^th July 23 which will include further consideration about any discussions that may be required with WECA and other key external stakeholders.

PQ04

David Redgewell

Q4. In view of the west of England mayoral combined Authority being responsible for Transport Regional planning and Housing skills and Education Economy growth and Tourism. With the west of England mayoral combined Authority also being told to absorb the local Enterprise partnership and North Somerset council into the Authority and with the cabinet decision to Transfer the Transport and public transport staff to west of England mayoral combined transport Authority.  What discussion have taken place about the working arrangements between the western gateway transport board city and county of Bristol council, Banes South Gloucestershire council and North Somerset council and the west of England mayoral combined transport Authority and Mayor Dan Norris over these committee and the Role of leader and Deputy leader of the council

If no meeting has taken place when does this committee intend to discuss these proposals with the west of England mayoral combined transport Authority and mayor Dan Norris.

A4. As above.

PQ05

Suzanne Audrey

Q5. Although not perfect, I believe Neighbourhood Partnerships were important. The Neighbourhood Partnership meetings I attended enabled police officers, council officers and others to meet and discuss local issues and priorities. Although attempts have been made locally, nothing has really been able to replace the Neighbourhood Partnership meetings in the area where I live. To help me understand why they were abolished, please can members of the committee explain what the problems were with the Neighbourhood Partnership Model?

A5. Please see the Cabinet report of 2017 for more details about why the Neighbourhood Partnerships were replaced with Area Committees.  Members of the CMWG may wish to comment.

PQ06

Suzanne Audrey

Q6. I believe that one of the main reasons the elected mayor system was rejected was because people felt they were not being listened to at local level. People will be looking to the new committee system to be more willing to listen to concerns at ward level. Please will you ensure that your working group does come up with a model for local decision-making, rather than postpone this important aspect of the future governance model?

A6. Members will be considering the options around local decision making at their meeting on 26^th May 23. Members of the CMWG may wish to comment.

PQ07

Dan Ackroyd

Q7. Although long term planning is usually a good idea, the "Bristol One City" appears to be hugely undemocratic, an attempt to give a façade of inclusion rather than actual inclusion. For example, for the "March City Gathering 2023" some people who live in Bristol had their tickets cancelled, as the event is "always invite-only". If "Bristol One City" is to continue, how would it be changed to support conversations started by the plebians, rather than only having conversations started by the people running it, and in general have a more open approach to discussions?

A7 – The One City presentation that the CMWG will receive today is designed to give Members a better understanding about how One City currently operates.  The discussion may continue at the Committee Model Working Group meeting on 28^th July 23.

One City is about bringing organisations and networks together to try and tackle city problems. This includes a large number of voluntary community organisations and equalities forums.  Bristol City Council is just one of many partners involved and One City could continue without the support of the Local Authority.

Under the Mayoral model, democratically elected Cabinet Members and the directly elected Mayor have been represented within the One City structures. Other councillors have been invited to attend. Going forward, the Committee System may wish to review councillor engagement within One City.

PQ08

Dan Ackroyd

Q8. There appears to be a bug or flaw in the planning process, when planned work becomes unfeasible, as was shown in the recent 22/05943/X planning application for Avon Crescent. For those who don't know, the original plan (as far as I understand it) was to make Avon Crescent be a shared space with traffic calming measures in place. When that became un-needed for the Metrobus, and against government guidelines, a proposal emerged from somewhere to just abandon the traffic calming scheme and return Avon Crescent to being open to cars travelling at speed, despite it now being used by far more pedestrians and cyclists. Dropping significant parts of an application, without consulting the people who would be affected seems undemocratic. Is the committee system planning changes to address this flaw in the process? Have other councils tackled this problem?

A8. Planning is covered by a separate regime and no changes are intended as part of the introduction of the Committee Model system of governance.  However, if residents have concerns about planning matters in their area, we recommend that they raise them with their local Councillor.

PQ09

Dan Ackroyd

Q9.The "Western Harbour consultation" was a farce. When the planning group refuses to call Cumberland Basin by that name, and substitutes a name more marketable to investors, it shows a clear lack of respect for the people who actually live in Bristol. The Masterplan document is apparently currently being developed, and as far as I'm aware, no-one outside of BCC has any idea what is going to be proposed, other than a strong suspicion Avon crescent is planned to be opened to cars. Under the committee system, will there be any changes to bring planning and redevelopment under better democratic control?

A9. As above, planning decisions are dealt with under a separate regime where no changes are intended.  However, political oversight of strategic matters will be provided by the relevant Policy Committee.  It will be for members of the Policy Committee to decide how to achieve democratic participation in strategic planning matters. 

Statements

Number

Name

PS01

Martin Fodor

PS02

Suzanne Audrey

PS03

Anita Bennett

PS04

Roger Gimson

PS05

Tim Kent and Guy Poultney